The Peril of Dishonesty at the Fiance Visa Interview

I just had a potential client contact me after their fiancé visa was denied at the embassy stage because the foreign fiancé lied to the interviewer about his criminal record. He was embarrassed to have three small misdemeanor convictions and so he lied about his record. The interviewer knew about the criminal record and not only denied the visa but also passed judgment that the fiancé was permanently inadmissible to the U.S. on grounds of material misrepresentation to a consular officer.

I felt terrible for these potential clients and wished that they had contacted me before the interview. At this point they have a very difficult case that requires an I-601 waiver of inadmissibility. It can be very difficult to get an I-601 approved.

The moral of the story is to always be honest with the USCIS and consulate. If you or your fiancé have a criminal record you need to hire an immigration lawyer to help you navigate the pitfalls caused by the criminal record.